Medieval Market San Miguel

Since the 18th century, there was always a market in Altea. This was to honour San Miguel. Artisan from all around came to town to exhibit there art and performances. It stopped during First World War and never after. Some of the local shops tried in mid-thirties to organise a similar market but it did not worked out properly. Finale the local authorities wanted to boost shops and tried to set up again a medieval market in the main high street. From September 27 until 29 a large choice of craftsman’s come to Altea. You can find a diversity of fine food, handmade leather bracelets, purses, silk Moorish clothing, etc….

A trio who played typical instruments from the area gave us some nice music background. With their costumes and nicely decorated stallers it gave an expression of what it was in the ancient times.

Look for the photoset by following the link.

Medieval Market Photoset

Altea, the fight between Moors and Christians

Moors and Christian (Moros y Cristianos) Festivals are held in many towns and cities throughout Spain but most predominantly in the southern Valencian Community. The festivals commemorate the battles which took place for the control of Spain during the period known as Reconquista (from the 8th to the 15th century).

One of these festivals on the Costa Blanca is that held at the end of September in Altea. This picturesque town is an easy drive north of Benidorm, around 10 minutes along the N332. You can park in the new part of town and walk up to the winding, white-washed streets of the old picturesque village.

Just have a look at the photo's

Young street musicians

 

Very nice young street musicians in the old town

The world stood still

 

You can find that lovely lady at the sunday market in Polop, in Spain.

 A wonderfull performance in 30° sun.

Turmeric against depression an inflamamatory skin conditions

In cooking, herbs and spices boost the flavor of our food. But did you know these same spices and herbs can also deliver health benefits that, in some cases rival our strongest medications?  Turmeric, known in the west for its use in Indian cooking, is often referred to as the “Queen of Spices”. It comes from the dry ground root of Curcuma longa, typically found in India and Indonesia. It has a deep yellow-orange tinge, from which it earns one of its nicknames, “Indian saffron”. Health benefits of turmeric include antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant properties. In India and China it has been used medicinally for centuries. In the Western world, however, turmeric is best known for its culinary prowess. Turmeric gives American yellow mustard its bright yellow color. Also, it is one of the main ingredients in curry dishes. It has a bitter, peppery flavor and smells like a mixture of orange peel and ginger. Turmeric´s health benefits are well-known and documented.
The history and the discovery of the benefits of turmeric are fascinating. Both India and China claim to have been the first to use it medicinally. Ancient Polynesians carried turmeric with them on their voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. In 1280 AD, Marco Polo recorded information on the benefits of turmeric in his diary. “There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell and the color, and yet it is not really saffron.” Even in modern times, in Hawaii turmeric is still used, known to Hawaiians as “Olena”.
Undoubtedly, the most powerful ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric its characteristic yellow color. It is a substance that is non-toxic and is found in turmeric along with other nutrients. These nutrients are included in the list below. The nutrients and quantities in 2 teaspoons (4.52 grams) of turmeric powder is as follows:
Dietary Fiber – 960 mg
Manganese – 0.36 mg
Vitamin B6 – 0.08 mg
Iron – 1.88 mg
Potassium – 114.48 mg
Turmeric has been used for centuries not only in cuisine, but also as an integral part of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.  (The former relies on turmeric for many external treatments as well as in Java, it is featured prominently in the “Lulur”, a pre-wedding body treatment given to all new brides on their wedding day to beautify the skin). Recent research is beginning to back up many of these time-tested uses with scientific data. The most well-known benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory effects that rival those of ibuprofen and hydrocortisone. As an added benefit, curcumin does not have the potential toxicity that pharmaceutical drugs exhibit.
According to scientific studies, conditions for which turmeric may be beneficial are numerous. These include, but are not limited to the following conditions:
Alzheimer´s Disease
Adrenal Insufficiency
Psoriasis
Diabetes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Infertility
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
Cystic Fibrosis
Cancer (all types)
Heart Disease
Liver toxicity & disease
Multiple Sclerosis
So here are the top health benefits of Turmeric:

1. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
2. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
3. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.  This is good news for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Polymositis, and many other autoimmune and inflammatory issues.
4. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.  Eases headaches and muscle and joint pain.
5. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
6. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
7. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
8. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
9. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
10. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

Use in spice form in juices or use as an addition to Curried Lentils or even as an addition to salad dressings for salads such as Mexican Millet Salad or Corsican Quinoa Salad. Alternatively you can added to your green drink in the morning.

Antiques markets and fine villages

Pego is lying just inland from the northern Costa Blanca resort of Dénia, the town of Pego sits in a depression, surrounded by mountains. A part of the Marina Alta comarca of Alicante. It is a little town with a nice main place and many small restaurants. In plaza de la font, you will found typical tapas restaurants. Casa Nova is one of those little beauties. They serve mouth-watering dishes for competitive prices.

 Worth visiting in Pego are the Arciprestal Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (16th century) built in the Renaissance style, built on the ruins of an earlier church, the Chapel of Ecce Homo (18th century) in the Baroque style and designed by the Valencian architect Fray Francisco Cabezas, the Church of the Sagrada Família, the hermitage of San José (19th century), the hermitage of San Miguel (17th century), the Castillo de Ambra (Castle Ambra) thought to originate from the early 13th century and the Parque Natural de la Marjal de Pego-Oliva (Natural Park of the Pego-Oliva Marshes)

Then we headed for the Rastro market in Javea, every Saturday you will find a large choice of antiques, bric-a-brac, and even new stuff. Amongst the antiques stallers you will find the local produce, oranges, avocados, tomatoes. There is a special staller with all kinds of dried seeds and fruits. It is well worth a visit. There are approx. 350 different stallers. Many foreign tourists are regular visitors. Always looking for a bargain.

Honey and Cinnamon, the Healthy Gesture

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the  Copenhagen  University , it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.  It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.  As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.  According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.  To make it lukewarm,  place it in a small jar and let it set in warm water for awhile.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.

Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.   In  America and  Canada,  various nursing homes have  treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in  India and  Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA – FLU: A scientist in  Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old might start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water.  If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder.  Do not boil, but pour one cup of boiling water onto the mixture of honey and cinnamon. Generally start off with a teaspoon of each, and then adjust depending on taste. Remember honey is a sugar based product, so teaspoon is best to start with. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
 
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

CANCER: Research in  Japan and  Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

BAD BREATH: People in  South America first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts helps restore hearing.

CONCLUSION:
It is good to take some sort of mixture of cinnamon and honey daily!

Yamato Japanese restaurant

I travelled a lot in my life and it always amazes me, the best encounters you make around food. Being a foodie myself I always try to find the most eloquent places to have dinner. I try to talk to chefs and waiters to know about the local cuisine, try to avoid ex-pat restaurants and pubs. Look up local food, you will be surprised what you can find and at affordable prices.

Last evening I went to Albir, a little town near Benidorm with hug lots of restaurants and dinners. Japanese restaurant, Yamato, named after a Japanese battleship during world war2. The dining was a mixture of eastern artefacts nicely displayed in glaze cabinets all around.  The system is original; you receive a menu, a list, and a pencil. Make your choice as much as you like in the nice presented dishes with the Japanese names and English translation. Great choice of nigiri sushi, maki’s, teppanyaki, sashimi a vegetarian dishes.  Everything freshly made to order. The gentle waiter gave us an explanation what it was all about.

Great was the surprise when we start talking to one of the waiters. The whole staff is Chinese, they live in Spain for nine years and they speak fluently Spanish, English and some German.

At the link below you can see it for yourself in a virtual tour.

Yamato Restaurant

Healthy Detox Juice Recipes

 If you’re trying to get some harmful toxin out of your body and perhaps lose a few pounds, a healthy juice detox could... be the answer for you.

1. Watermelon Limeade

Servings: 4
Ingredients:
About 1.5kg of watermelon
Three quarters a cup of lemon juice
Honey (amount depends on your taste)
A few fresh mint leaves
Ice
Chop the watermelon into slices (remove the skin and seeds), then simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add in the ice and mint. Finally stir in the honey and enjoy.


2. Carrot, Celery, Ginger and Parsley Juice

Servings: 2

Ingredients:
4 large sized carrots (make sure they aren’t peeled and their ends should be trimmed)
4 celery sticks with their leaves
Half a scrubbed beetroot
6 pieces of parsley (stem and leaves)
2 inch piece of ginger (unpeeled and washed)
Ice
Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add ice and drink cold.



3. Healthy Green Detoxifying Juice Servings: 2

Ingredients:
5-6 oz. of baby spinach leaves
2 apples (cored and halved)
Half a lemon
2 medium sized carrots (scrubbed)
2 celery sticks
2 inch piece of ginger (peeled)
Ice
Mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer); fill some ice into the glasses; pour in the juice and serve.



4. Vegetable and Fruit Mix Detox Juice
Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1 Apple
5 medium sized carrots
5 stalks of celery
A bunch of spinach
Half a bunch of parsley
Cold pressed wheatgrass (quantity depends on taste)
 Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer), add in the ice, they you are ready to enjoy!



5. Grapefruit, Papaya and Pineapple Juice
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
8 oz. of grapefruit juice
Half a cup of papaya cubes
Three quarters a cup of pieces of pineapple
A pinch of finely chopped parsley leaves
Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add ice and then drink cold.